Asghar remains bullish as possible cuts are revealed
Dundee U n i t e d ’s first- team players are understood to be at the top end of a sliding scale of wage cut proposals that, if agreed, would deny them a quarter of their salary for the rest of the season.
All club staff have been asked to sign letters by t o m o r r ow afternoon confirming their intention to accept.
It’s believed employees on between £ 20,000 and £30,000-per-annum were invited to sacrifice 10%, the figure rises to 15% for those on £30,000-£45,000 and 20% for those earning £45,000-£60,000.
And at the top end, it’s understood there is a 25% reduction for those earning £ 60,000 a year – the bulk of manager Micky Mellon’s playing squad.
Players were among club staff stunned to be hit by the demand in the build up to yesterday’s home game against Ross County.
There had been no hint that the measures might be introduced with a fiveday deadline to accept.
But, speaking yesterday, the Tangerines’ Sporting Director, Tony Asghar defended U n i t e d ’s summer recruitment in light of the newly-imposed cost-cutting measures.
Asghar insists United went about their recruitment sensibly in the summer and will continue to recruit if allowed.
“Businesses have to run, if you are under this amount of scrutiny and this amount of financial problematic a r e a s ,” Asghar said.
“People have to move on. We have to keep the lights on and the club going. You can’t just stop, and say we are not going to improve the football team.
“I have to say, it had an adverse effect on our recruitment process.
“If you look at where we were in January and then the summer, it was clear.
“We have been prudent. We have tried to go for players who have come in and are quality.
“We have to continue keep winning as a football club.”
He added: “We have always said since the owner came in that we are looking to develop players and sell them. That’s not changed.
“Wh e t h e r that is heightened by the January window – and whether other clubs can afford to take our players at the levels where we value them – is something else.
“Make no mistake, we want to continue on as best we’re going
“We have created a lot of assets in both young players, and players who are doing well today.
“We will continue to bring players in, if we are allowed to, who will add value to Dundee United.
“A n d hopefully in January if business is done it won’t detract from what we’re doing and the long-term strategy.”